Important Wristwatches, Watches & Clocks

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 17, 1992

LOT 454

J. P. Van Stryp, Anuers(sic), Flemish, circa 1680. Fine and very rare silver pair-cased astronomical watch with annual calendar and tidal indications. and an early application of the balance spring

CHF 22,000 - 26,000

C. Double body outer with turned bezels and square hinge. Inner, double body, now with stirrup bow, both cases plain and polished. D. Polished silver champleve chapter-ring with Roman numerals and rubricated inner ring for lunar calendar. Central revolving moon-phase disc with blued-steel pointer indicating the hour of high tide for each day of the lunar month. Outer edge with rubricated revolving date ring and further scale showing the months each with the number of days. Single bluedsteel hand of tulip pattern. M. Gilt-brass full-plate, with pierced griffins' head pillars, fusee with chain, fourwheel train without centre-wheel and balluster turned pinion arbors. Verge escapement with plain three-arm steel balance, three turn balance spring with Tompion regulator, open-work florally pierced cock with large irregular foot. Signed on the backplate. In excellent condition Diam. 56mm.


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Notes

Although rare, a watch with similar astronomical dial by Thomas Loomes of London was sold by this house on 20 October 1991, lot 250. In the case of the watch by Loomes, the ring giving the tidal hours was not driven with the moon shutter, but static and could be adjusted manually. No reliable information about J. P. Van Stryp appears to be forthcoming at this point, but Anuers is an archaic spelling of Anvers, the French name for Antwerp, the most important port of Belgium. Clearly a watch capable of predicting the tides would be of considerable use in such a city.